From the cockpit of a helicopter, 1,000 feet above the Columbia River, the valley looks beautiful but narrow. Flying along that same river at low levels in poor visibility, with obstacles all around, Coast Guard aircrews navigate up the river to rescue injured loggers, or down the river to the Pacific Ocean to save the crew of a sinking fishing vessel. It’s a demanding environment and the aircrew has to function as a well-trained team.

The Columbia River Maritime Museum presents “The Columbia River’s Impact on Coast Guard Aviation” on Saturday, February 16, at 2:00 pm. Commander Nevada Smith will take the audience on a journey as a Coast Guard helicopter pilot by sharing stories and video about rescue operations by pilots, flight mechanics and rescue swimmers. Participants will also have the opportunity to examine equipment utilized within the Graveyard of the Pacific.

Currently the Air Operations Officer for Air Station Astoria, CDR Nevada Smith graduated from Officer Candidate School in 1993 and attended Navy Flight School in Pensacola, Florida. His career has given him the opportunity to serve in many locations and respond to large scale rescues such as Hurricane Katrina.

This presentation is included with museum admission. Museum members are free.